Day 1

[Olivia8]

Ok so, I am back. I am committed to not dying of a smoking related disease. I am committed to showing my daughter that we humans can do ANYTHING we put our minds to, when we educate ourselves enough. It sickens me to think that I had 70 days smoke free years ago and all the damage that I have bestowed upon by body since then. Ugh. But, the only thing I need to do right now is make it through this first day. I will tackle tomorrow, tomorrow 🙂

I am using the patch because honestly, it is the only thing that I can afford right now and they actually do work for me. I would love to go back on Chantix but it's just not feasible. My last cancer stick was at 7am this morning. 6 1/2 hours and not counting (yeah right)! I have asked my husband to not smoke in front of me and to put his smokes somewhere I have no awareness of. He supports me, so I think the only hard thing will be when I straight up ask him for one. I have no intention of asking but you know what happens when that addiction starts knocking.......

I hope everyone I used to be close to on here is well! It will be great to see some familiar faces (profile pics I mean, hahaha!)! Thank you for still being here. I genuinely love this community and am excited to share the journey with you all.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome back!

Let me know if you would  like links to the readings I recommend, like the Allen Carr book,  and a couple of other sites to look at?  I have seen many spouses quit after one sets the example and shows it can be done.  I will hope the same will happen in your situation!

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Good for you. Nothing wrong with using the patch,

Did you use it for your 70 day quit?

Do you understand  the first 4 months is the most trying time of most peoples quits?

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[Olivia8]

Thank you Nancy, I already have the Allen Carr E-Book and it is awesome 🙂 I am also a member of a bunch of non smoker Facebook pages, and they do have tons of resorces as well. I plan to use all the resources I can get!

Dale, I used Chantix for the 70 day quit! It has it's drawbacks, but I would still do it again. I can bet the first 4 months is the most trying time, this is something I have done all day every day since I was 15......ewwwww. It's what I know, and I have to retrain my brain, start associating life moments without that damn cig in my fingers. Uphill battle but totally worth it, do able and I will check out that article you posted. Thanks guys, you are appreciated!

I just went on the Newport (that's what I smoked) Website and opted OUT of coupons and promo's from them. This is the only quit I have ever done that for. I feel I am giving myself the best possible start, and that feels awesome. 

[Olivia8]

And Nancy, I printed out the "100 things to do instead of Smoking" list......it is in my purse and now goes wherever I go 🙂 Thank you.

[Daniela2016]

Hi Olivia,

I am a newbie here, only 63 days tobacco free, but I seem to have it pretty good.  Like you, I had another quit in the past and at the 6 months mark I had "just the one" who sent me back in smoking full time.

Please hurry and finish Allan's book. He says that 90% of the people who finished his book became exsmokers.  I belive this to be the case with me.  I certainly believe this is my last quit.

Currently I am reading another book Freedom from Nicotine - The Journey Home by John R. Polito.  One thing that really resonated with me, he suggest we do not speak in terms of quit (because that suggests giving up something, leaving something dear behind), but in terms of recovery (redescover how to enjoy all things without Nicotine). 

Sending you good vibes, good luck, make it last forever this time!  You are certainly prepared.

Daniela

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

Congratulations on day 1

[Olivia8]

Daniela, where did you get the second book, Freedom From Nicotine? I am interested in reading that!

[Daniela2016]

Hi Olivia, it was $5.99 on Amazon Kindle format.

Daniela

[JonesCarpeDiem]

http://whyquit.com/ffn.pdf

[tjanddj]

Congratulations and welcome back!

[Giulia]

Good to see you back.  Have at it!

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

Welcome and congratulations on day 1! You are doing it!! Woohoo!!